The incredible history of coffee
Many people drink coffee but those who know about its history are few. By reading this article we will discover the fascinating history of this drink!
Let's discover together in the article the fascinating history of this drink:
The history of a journey
As much as legends are fascinating the history of coffee is really that of a journey that begins by taking the precious berry from Abyssinia to Middle East. Then, after having crossed the Mediterranean Sea, it arrives in Europe and after that in the whole world. And wherever it goes everyone falls in love with coffee.
Its journey starts in Ethiopia and then it goes to Yemen where its plant begins to be cultivated in the XIV century. In 1450 coffee reaches La Mecca and from there it gets to the whole region thanks to thousands of pilgrims. In the XVI century, thanks to the colonization of Syria, Palestine and Egypt by Turkey coffee gets to be known in Turkey as well. And it is precisely Constantinople the first city in which a café is born.
After that the tireless man who discovered coffee seems to be ready to bring its discovery to the West. From a letter written by Piero della Valle in the XVII century we discover the willingness to bring coffee in Venice. This allows to believe that coffee first arrived in Italy at the beginning of 1600. What we know for sure is that the first European café was in Venice. Coffee enters Europe by following the Arabia- Turkey- Venice route. If in the XVII century coffee is practically unknown in the following one the taste of this drink is known throughout the European continent, and it becomes a “luxury good” for rich people.
Coffee’s golden century.
The eighteenth century is coffee’s golden one because in the XVIII and XIX centuries cafes were places in which the most important conversations were held. In Europe they became places where new ideas were born. Socio-economical topics were discussed there along with newspapers reading. Moreover, cafes become meeting spots for both writers and artists. These places are laboratories in which they can create something new. An excellent example of this is found in the Italian Risorgimento: all the people who played a fundamental role in the formation of Italy as we know it spent time in cafes. They did it so much that Italian intellectuals wrote in their political programs that the building of more cafes would be one of the fundamental things that they wanted to give to the Italian people. It is not by chance that in the nineteenth century Turin becomes known as “the land of political cafes”
Slowly the costs of importing from Arabia are being contained as the colonial powers of Holland, France, and England begin to cultivate coffee in their colonies or, as is the case for much of the English and Dutch, replace it with tea. The affordability of the coveted beverage now allows even the bourgeoisie to have the pleasure of "a cup of coffee" to experience what the poet Alexander Pope claims: "coffee makes politicians wise, making them see clearly what darkness hides."
The first coffee machines
It was precisely in the late 1800s and early 1900s that the first coffee machines were produced and, with them, production became increasingly widespread. The invention and patenting of the first coffee machine is attributed to Turin industrialist and entrepreneur Angelo Moriondo at the Turin Expo in 1884.
Coffee today
Nowadays in the frenzied society live in coffee has become an indispensable drink, which we can’t give up. Almost like an addiction. We drink it in all kinds of way and Starbucks knows about that. Espresso, americano, latte, with milk, iced, ginseng or with caramel and cream on top. No matter how we drink it, it always gives us the same pleasure.
After this excursus on coffee the only thing left to do is appreciate its complex but at the same time intriguing history.
Caffè Murgana produces this delicious drink in the form of coffee pods (compatible with Nespresso and Lavazza) and coffee beans.
Caffè Murgana was founded in 1998 carrying on a story of passion, work and continuous search for the best raw materials to ensure the quality of excellent coffee. Aromas and flavors blend together for a unique experience and in each of our blends you will find goodness and flavor offered by the earth.